USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees Starting March 1, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced upcoming increases to premium processing fees, set to take effect on March 1, 2026. The change follows a final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and will apply to premium processing requests postmarked on or after that date.

For employers and foreign nationals who rely on premium processing to receive faster case decisions, this update is an important planning consideration.

Why Are Premium Processing Fees Increasing?

According to DHS, the fee adjustments reflect inflation from June 2023 through June 2025, as authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act. That law allows DHS to update premium processing fees every two years to preserve their real dollar value.

DHS has stated that the additional revenue will be used to:

• Maintain premium processing services
• Improve adjudication systems and workflows
• Address processing backlogs
• Support USCIS adjudication and naturalization operations more broadly

The update does not change eligibility for premium processing; it only affects the cost of requesting it.

When Do the New Fees Apply?

Effective date: March 1, 2026

Any Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing) postmarked on or after that date must include the new fee amount

Requests filed with outdated fees may be rejected

Below are some of the most commonly used forms affected by the increase:

Form I-129 – Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

• H-2B and R-1 classifications:
  • From $1,685 → $1,780
• All other eligible I-129 classifications (including H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1/E-2/E-3, TN, P, Q):
  • From $2,805 → $2,965

Form I-140 – Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
(EB-1, EB-2 including NIW, EB-3)

• From $2,805 → $2,965

Form I-539 – Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status
(F, J, and M classifications)

• From $1,965 → $2,075

Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization
(OPT and STEM OPT categories)

• From $1,685 → $1,780

Premium processing remains available only for benefit types specifically designated by USCIS.

What This Means for Employers and Applicants

While premium processing is optional, it often plays a key role in:

• Employment start dates
• Work authorization continuity
• Business planning and compliance
• Reducing uncertainty during lengthy processing periods

With higher fees taking effect in 2026, early planning can help applicants and employers decide whether premium processing is still the right strategy for a particular case and timeline.

At Zhang-Louie PLLC, our team regularly advises employers and professionals on filing strategies, timing considerations, and cost planning across a wide range of employment-based immigration matters. Monitoring USCIS fee updates is part of ensuring filings remain accurate, timely, and aligned with current regulations.

As USCIS continues to adjust procedures and fees, understanding how these changes affect both short-term processing and long-term immigration goals remains essential.